webofevil: (Default)
webofevil ([personal profile] webofevil) wrote2007-11-12 02:41 pm

The noble Count

On Friday I did a Q&A as Count Dracula. An old friend of mine is about a third of the way through the novel with her class of 10 year-olds, and although her initial idea was to have me answer their questions in person, perhaps silhouetted behind a screen, the travel involved meant that instead her pupils ended up interviewing the Count by email for an hour. A small sample:
> what is your fav drink and why?

My favourite drink is blood. It has a delightful flavour and is extraordinarily refreshing. My doctor used to supply me with at least a pint a day.


> Why dont you like garlic and holy water?

I am terribly allergic to garlic, a condition I inherited from my family. And any skincare specialist will tell you that holy water dries out the skin, something I can ill afford to happen with my delicate complexion.


> If you have any relatives where do they live??

Sadly my relatives do not live at all. I am the last of my line, and likely to remain that way. As for where my relatives reside, they tend to remain in the crypt.


> What do you do all day?

My days are quite sedentary. It is at night when things get interesting.


> Why do you wear black and red all the time?

It matches my eyes.


> why do you like blood so much

If you have never tried its rich flavour, I recommend you do so. All young people should be brought up on its savoury goodness. It is also beneficial for the skin.


> Someone of your description was seen sucking Lucy’s. Pray, explain yourself. If you can ...

I must ask you to explain yourself first. Sucking Lucy’s what, exactly? Lampshade? Writing desk?


> please tell the truth for a truck full of blood

Tempting offer though this is, I cannot help but feel that you are trying to induce me to incriminate myself in some way and so I must politely decline.


> why are you afraid of the sun.?

“Afraid” is not a word I would use. I decline to remain in the presence of the sun as it is very bad for the skin, and I am on a strict skincare regimen due to my delicate complexion. I did try to explain this to Mr Harker but I was in a dreadful hurry, and he may have misunderstood my urgency for fear.


> what do you do inside the castle?

I feast. And play the occasional hand of solitaire.


> why do you dress the way you do?

Black is timeless and never goes out of fashion. It is also a very practical colour if you expect to find yourself doing something messy; very few stains show up on black.


> what do feel about the way people look at you?

People may look at me in any way they wish. I shall look directly back at them, which they may find they regret.*
* Tonight the part of Dracula will apparently be played by Quentin Crisp.

> what do you like about blood?

Everything. From the way it glints in the candlelight when held aloft in a fine crystal wineglass to its rich, metallic taste as it washes down a meal, it is one of life’s greatest delicacies. It should be the drink of choice for noblemen and kings, and I never trust anyone who says they dislike it.


> Someone of your description was seen in Whitby Last Friday. Explain Yourself..!!

Certainly. I was in Whitby.


> Also How Do You Explain The Sudden Storm in Whitby?

Ah. For that, I can offer no such simple explanation. I am no meteorologist. Perhaps a cold weather front moved across the British Isles and met with a warmer front on the North Sea coast.


> (by the way can we call you Drac)

You may not.

[identity profile] monkeyssk8.livejournal.com 2007-11-12 03:02 pm (UTC)(link)
this post is great if you think of the funny dracula voice whilst reading it. Yes.

[identity profile] offensive-mango.livejournal.com 2007-11-12 03:16 pm (UTC)(link)
You are a genius :)

[identity profile] lebeautemps.livejournal.com 2007-11-12 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)
This is fab, as I said before. It might be fun to open up the floor to more childrens questions:

If invited, would he like to take part in Celeb Literary Big Brother? If so, which other Lit figures would he like to *share* the house with?

Do you have a girlfriend?

Do you have to go to the Dentist?